It began with an idea, an old computer and a borrowed wireless signal. That idea became Homeless not Hopeless, a local organization working to eradicate homelessness while offering hope. Recently the organization celebrated a significant achievement in securing its first program home, Elise House, located on Ocean Street in Hyannis.

While simply a five-bedroom rental property to some, Elise House became home for four area women who were previously living on the streets.

Mary Ann Hakenson founded Homeless not Hopeless with partner Mark Halstead, two local figures known by their first names in the homeless community on Cape Cod.

Mary Ann originally came across the location for Elise House through a posting on the Web site Craigslist.com.

"I made the initial call to the realtor, who had worked with program houses in the past," said Mark. "She recommended to the owners that this house would be good as a program house."

"Everything just fell together in the most amazing way," said Mark.

When Elise House opened not long ago, it effectively suspended the Salvation Army's Overnights of Hospitality program for women for at least one month.

Elise House and Homeless not Hopeless both stem from the Overnights program, through which 45 faith congregations across Cape Cod provide safe accommodations for small groups of homeless men and women each night of the year.

The five-bedroom Elise House allowed the four area women utilizing Overnights, as well as Mark and Mary Ann, to finally have someplace to call home.

It was in the Overnights program that both Mark and Mary Ann, managers of Elise House, found solace.

Both found themselves homeless after various life events. In Mark's case it was unemployment and lack of transportation, while Mary Ann struggled with mental illness and domestic violence issues.

Having personally experienced homelessness, the two gained a very different perspective on the issue, helping them see the truth through preconceived notions. "You have a vision in your mind," said Mark, noting that most folks think back to the hobos of the Depression. "If you can take away that one-dimensional aspect and understand them as real people that goes a long way. It's very much about changing the perceptions of who's in the homeless community and who people are."

"In some ways the homeless community trusts us more because we've been there," said Mary Ann. "In large part that's where some of our success comes from. We have been there. We bridge that gap in the community."

Both found help and hope through the Overnights program and credit their experiences with fostering their desire to create an organization aimed at helping others in need.

"The enthusiasm that came out of the Overnights program bubbled over into [Homeless not Hopeless]," said Mark. "We had a desire to form something that was based upon homeless people trying to lift themselves up."

"Mark and Mary Ann want to pay back," said Alan Burt, coordinator of the Overnights program at the Salvation Army. "Elise House is empowering people not only to pay their own rent, but to help others who are homeless as well."

"It's something I tried to foster when I was part of the Overnights program," said Mark. "I wanted to give back to the people who helped. After I came out it was still important."

Through Elise House, the women are able to rent living space and receive important assistance and services that may ultimately allow them to live independently in the future.

"Overnights of Hospitality was designed as a stepping stone," said Major Ralph Hansen, commanding officer at the Salvation Army. "Elise House has been a vision of Alan's for years."

"Overnights brought a loving face to homelessness," said Burt. "For many years homeless people felt rejected by the community. Now they're neighbors. The amount of love and support has really helped people."

Given that homelessness remains an ongoing problem on the Cape, services are available should a need arise for Overnights for women, but Burt hopes the hold is a good sign.

With Elise House and its occupants thriving, plans are in the works to rent another property situated behind Elise House for local men.

As soon as the sum of $4600 is raised to cover first, last and security on the property, the lease can be signed and residents can move in. When that happens, one man will be able to resume regular visitations with his six-year-old son, something he's missed greatly while struggling with homelessness.

Ideally, Mark and Mary Ann would like to see similar program houses in other towns across the Cape.

"If we can do this with an old computer and a stolen WiFi signal," said Mark, "then maybe you should start picking up the ball and do something similar in your own community."

"We want to put the people who have been displaced by homelessness back in their hometowns," said Mary Ann. "Just because somebody's homeless doesn't mean they're not human."